Norway : Visa and immigration

Do I need a visa or work permit?

Norway is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), so all EEA nationals are free to stay in Norway without a residence permit for up to three months. You must be able to support yourself financially during this period.

If you are an EEA national and plan to stay in Norway for longer than three months, either to work, carry out training or study on a university course, you must register with the police. They will then issue a certificate of registration. Details are available from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). A residence permit is not required.

Restrictions apply to nationals of the new EEA member countries, Bulgaria and Romania. Non-EEA nationals may also be required to apply for a residence permit. Check the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration for further details.

How do I apply for a visa?

EEA nationals do not need to apply for a residence permit.

If you are not a citizen of an EEA country, contact the Norwegian embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain a residence permit. If you are living in the UK, go to the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Norway.   

How do I apply for permanent residency?

EEA citizens who plan to stay for longer than three months, must register at the local police station. A certificate of registration will be issued, which is then valid indefinitely.

Members of non-EEA countries need to apply for a permanent residence permit. This allows the holder to live and work in Norway indefinitely. To apply for a permanent residence permit you must have stayed in Norway for a continuous period of three years. Applications must be submitted to the police. See the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) for more information.